Heat players continue to lock arms during anthem
MIAMI — They began with the approach at the start of last season and will continue for another season, the Miami Heat again standing with arms locked during the national anthem before Sunday’s exhibition game against the Atlanta Hawks at AmericanAirlines Arena.
Unlike most other NBA teams, the Heat stayed with the approach throughout last season, at the time when racial inequality was a theme addressed by many pro sports teams, well in advance of Donald Trump being elected and then taking over as president.
“We are an organization that honors the military. We honor the flag. We honor our soldiers that have committed their lives for this country,” coach Erik Spoelstra said before Sunday’s game. “We also want our players to absolutely have a voice, for a displeasure of what they’re seeing around the country right now. And we encourage our guys to express themselves, absolutely, in the right way. So that’s our course of action right now.”
Spoelstra said a statement, if sent in the proper way, can further ongoing dialogues.
“I mentioned at training camp, I absolutely respect what other players are doing, even in other leagues right now,” he said. “Because it is really just such a uncomfortable time, where all of us feel that there is a call and a need for action, for what we’re seeing that we don’t think is right. But we want to do it in the best, most respectful way.”
The Official Rules of the National Basketball Association, under the section of, “Player/team conduct and dress,” state, “Players, coaches and trainers are to stand and line up in a dignified posture along the sidelines or on the foul line during the playing of the National Anthem.”
The league, in a preseason memo from Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum, notified teams that, “The NBA has a rule that players, coaches and trainers stand respectfully for the anthem. The league office will determine how to deal with any possible instance in which a player, coach or trainer does not stand for the anthem. (Teams do not have the discretion to waive this rule).”
Commissioner Adam Silver addressed the issue during a media briefing following last week’s Board of Governors session.
“On the anthem specifically,” Silver said, “we have a rule that requires our players to stand for the anthem. It’s been a rule as long as I’ve been involved with the league, and my expectation is that our players will continue to stand for the anthem.
“Again, to me, it’s a unique issue in this league because 25 percent of our players are not American. But it’s always been an opportunity in our arenas for both teams to come together and have a moment of reflection.”
Silver stressed than statements still could be offered, such as the Heat’s approach.
“Last year many of our teams locked arms during the anthem, which I felt was a respectful show of unity,” he said. “Many of our players have spoken out already about their plan to stand for the anthem. And I think they understand how divisive an issue it is in our society right now.”
Heat president Pat Riley addressed the issue prior to training camp.
“The decisions that players make, athletes, people make to speak their conscience is their choice,” he said. “We live in a world where you have an opportunity to speak that conscience.
“Our players last year came to me and to Erik and decided that they were going to, in unity, lock arms. I’m cool with that. But if one player wants to separate himself from the pack and stand out there then that’s his choice and that’s his conscience. He may have to deal with the consequences of the public and the media.”
iwinderman@ sunsentinel.com. Follow him at twitter.com/iraheatbeat or facebook.com/ ira.winderman